Control module for autonomous target system

1. A method for autonomous position control of a target deployed in a combat simulation course, comprising the following steps performed by a control module mechanically linked to the target, the method comprising: providing an adjustable target exposure delay; providing an adjustable target exposure duration; receiving from a motion sensor a trigger signal representing movement of a human body within a predetermined distance from the target; revealing the target when the target exposure delay lapses responsive to receiving the trigger signal; enabling, only when the target is revealed, a hit detection sensor to transmit a hit detection signal responsive to a shot striking the target; concealing the target responsive to earliest occurrence of receiving the hit detection signal, lapse of the target exposure duration after revealing the target, or receiving a near-miss detection signal; and revealing the target at a predetermined time after receiving the near-miss signal.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein one or both of the adjustable target exposure delay and the adjustable target exposure duration are locally manually adjustable.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the target comprises one target within a cooperative system of targets deployed in the combat simulation course, further comprising relaying the trigger signal to one or more other targets within the cooperative system.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising relaying the trigger signal after a predetermined time delay.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising relaying the trigger signal only when the target is revealed.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising distinguishing, by the motion sensor, detonation of a stun grenade from the movement of a human body, so that the detonation alone averts the trigger signal.

7. A target control module configured to autonomously position a target deployed in a combat simulation course, comprising: means for providing an adjustable target exposure delay; means for providing an adjustable target exposure duration; means for receiving from a motion sensor a trigger signal representing movement of a human body within a predetermined distance from the target; means for revealing the target when the target exposure delay lapses responsive to receiving the trigger signal, or at a predetermined time after a near-miss signal is received; means for enabling, only when the target is revealed, a hit detection circuit to transmit a hit detection signal responsive to a shot striking the target; and means for concealing the target responsive to earliest occurrence of the target control module receiving the hit detection signal, lapse of the target exposure duration after the target control module reveals the target, or receiving the near-miss signal.

8. The target control module of claim 7 wherein one or both of the means for providing the adjustable target exposure delay and the means for providing the adjustable target exposure duration comprise local manually adjustable means.

9. The target control module of claim 7 further comprising means for relaying the trigger signal to one or more other target control modules within a cooperative system of target control modules deployed in the combat simulation course.

10. The target control module of claim 9 further comprising means for relaying the trigger signal after a predetermined time delay.

11. The target control module of claim 10 further comprising means for relaying the trigger signal only when the target is revealed.

12. The target control module of claim 7 further comprising means for deflecting a shot toward ground.

13. A system of autonomously positionable targets deployed in a combat simulation course, comprising: at least one target control module mechanically linked to one of the targets, the target control module comprising: an adjustable delay timer defining a target exposure delay; an adjustable duration timer defining a target exposure duration; a triggering input configured to receive a trigger signal representing movement of a human body within a predetermined distance from the target; a hit detection circuit configured to enable, only when the target is revealed, a hit detection sensor to transmit a hit detection signal responsive to a shot striking the target; and one or more rotatable arms engaging the target and configured to reveal the target when the target exposure delay lapses responsive to receiving the trigger signal or at a predetermined time after a near-miss signal is received, and to conceal the target responsive to earliest occurrence of receiving the hit detection signal, lapse of the target exposure duration after revealing the target, or receiving a near-miss signal; at least one motion sensor coupled to the triggering input; and means for linking the triggering input to another target control module.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein one or both of the adjustable delay timer and the adjustable duration timer comprise local manually adjustable timers.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein the linking means comprises a relay configured to transmit the trigger signal to another target control module after a predetermined time delay only when the target is revealed.

16. The system of claim 13 wherein the at least one target control module comprises a bullet-proof chassis enclosing the adjustable delay timer and the adjustable duration timer, the chassis having at least one side angled to deflect a shot toward ground.

17. The system of claim 13 wherein the at least one target control module includes a chassis that includes angled shielding adjacent to the one or more rotatable arms and configured to deflect a shot toward ground.